Vaporizer for heavy oils



c. c. MANKER. VAPORIZER FOR HEAVY OILS. APPLICATION FILED MAR- 19. 19I8.

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VAPORIZER FOR HEAVY OILS.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 19. I918.

Patented June 15, 1920.

2 SHEETSSHEET 2.

CHARLES C. MAN/rel;

Guano;

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES CAREY MARKER, or PITTSBURGH, PENNSYLVANIA, nssrenon TO MORLEY Y MANKER COMPANY, INCORPORATED.

VAPORIZER FOR, HEAVY OILS.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, CHARLES C. MAnKER, a citizen of the United States,-and a resident of Pittsburgh'finthe county "of Allegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Vaporizers for Heavy Oils ofwhioh the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in vaporizers for heavy oils such as kerosene and the like, for use 1n connection with antomobile engines or gas engines in general.

An object of my invention is to provide a. comparatively simple device by means of which the engine may be started on the low grade oils,-thereby obviating the necessity of carrying additional fuel, such as gasolene, for starting purposes.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device which will vaporize heavy oils and which dispenses with the ordinary carbureter.

A further object of my invention is to eliminates the auxiliary heating means after a the starting of the engine and continues the vaporization by means of heat supplied from the exhaustv gases from the engine.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device of the type described made up in units which are interchangeable so that a vaporizer of greater or less capacity may be installed readily, depending upon the size-and power of the engine which is used in connection therewith.

Other objects and advantages will appear in the following'speoification and the novel features of the invention will be particularly pointed out in the appended claims.

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings forming part of this application, in which:

Figure 1 is a central vertical section through thedevice,

- carried by the valve casing 18.

and

Fig. 3 is a section on the line 3-3 of Fig. 1.

lncarrying out my invention I provide a series of castings of circular form, these cast ngs being shown at 1. Each of these castings is provided with a series of vertically extending passageways 2 provided by tubes 3 which extend through the interior chamber 43 of the castings so that air or gas going through the passageways 2 may be heated by hot productsof combustion in the heating chamber 4 as hereinafter described.

Each of the castings 1 has an upper flange 5 and a lower flange 6 set inwardly from the outer wall of the casting so as to provide means for fitting thereto casing sections such as those'shown at 7. There may be as many of these casingsections and castmgs 1 as desired, the number depending upon the size and capacity of the engine with whichthe device is used. The uppermost casting l is provided with a top 8 havmg an air opening 9 therein. The lowermost casting is connected with aconical shaped casing portion 10 and below the easing portion 10 and secured thereto, is a'fuel float chamber 11. The latter is provided with a float 12 which is pivotally mounted at 13 and which is connected with an inlet valve 14. The latter is designedto govern the inflow of. the fuel oil'through the pipe 15 which is designed to be connected to a suitable source of supply, not shown. The valve 14 is provided with a guide stem 16 extending into an opening in a plug 17 v A screw cap 19 is provided for permitting access to the valve from above. I

Near the bottom of the float chamber 11 is a draining tube 20 which, is normally closed by means of a plug 21. Extending upwardly through the float chamber and preferably made integral therewith is a tube 22 having openings 23 near the bottom thereof. A plug 24 is screwedinto'the bottom of the tube 22, this plug being provided with insulating bushings 25 for the circuit wires 26 which lead to aj-fllament 27 disposed in the interior of the tubes 22 and preferably above the openings 23.

The top of the float chamber is covered Specification ofLetters Patent. Pate fled J 15- 1920 Application filed March 19, 191$. Serial No. 223,3 O7. I

Fig. 2 is a side elevation of the device,

, by a plate 28 which is. in fact the bottom portion of the casing section 10. Just above the plate is a series of openings which extend through the casing portion 10 and which communicate with the outer atmos-' phere as shown in F ig. 2. The upper end of the tube 22 projects through the plate 28 and is provided with a wire gauze 30 of proper mesh whichserves to act as a fire check and also prevents fuel from splashing out of the tube as will be explained later. A cylindrical sleeve 31 fits over the upper end of the tube 22, the lower end of the sleeve resting on the plate 28. The sleeve has perforations 32 in its walls. A conical shield or partition 33 extends downwardly from the top of the sleeve 32 and outwardly to the side walls of the casing 10. This partition is provided with perforations 34 whose purpose will be explained later.

The lowermost casing portion 10 has a valve casing 35 secured to it. A valve 36 has its seat in thiscasing and the valve stem37 is continued upwardly and is connected with a thermostat 38 disposed in a casing 39. The thermostat is provided with regulating means consisting of a threaded stem 40 and this stem may be locked in position by a jam nut 41.

On the opposite side of the casting which bears the thermostat casing 39, is a U-shaped pipe 42 having therein a butterfly valve 43. The upper end of the said pipe is provided with a wire gauze 44 and near the lower endof the pipe is an atomizer 45 which communicates by means of a tube 46 with the lower part of the float chamber 11, the

' latter having a tube 47 extending there from by means of which the connection to the pipe 46 is made.

' Referring again to Fig. 1, I have shown therein a Y-tube 48, one branch of which communicates with the chamber 4 of the uppermost casting 1, the other branch communicating with the chamber 4 of the next lower casting. On the opposite'side ot the device is a similar Y-tube 49 having communication with the two upper castings as clearly shown in the drawing.

From the foregoing description of the variousparts of the device,-the operation thereof may be readily understood.

Thecasing 39 of the thermostat is connected with the intake manifold of the engine, not shown, the Y-tube 49 is connected with the muffler and the.Y-tube 48 is conis passed through the filamentj27 which is submerged in the oil in the tube 22, the oil entering the tube as heretofore explained, through the openings 23. The filament does not .become incandescent on account of the rapid radiation of heat into the liquid but rapidly raises the temperature of the oil to the point of vaporization. This vapor passes upwardly through the gauze and into the tube or sleeve 31, Where it meets air through the perforations 32, which are supplied by the air intakes 29, and as will be explained later, by air entering the perforations 34. The mixture of the air and vapor forms theinitial fuel charge and this is ignited by means of a spark plug 50 connccted with any suitable source of current. This source is preferably thatwhich operates the automatic starting device, such as those supplied with modern automobiles. The spark continues while the engine is being turned over with the starter. The battery current to the filament 27 is cut out after the engine isstarted by any suitable means, such as an automatic switch, not shown. Owing to the suction created by the cylinders of the engine, the products of combustion from the ignited charge at the top of the sleeve 31 pass upwardly through. the flues or passageways 2 of the lowermost casting and into the chamber 51 formed by the section 7 of the casing. From thence they are drawn through the tubes 42, through the heating chamber 4 of the castings and past the thermostat 38 and on into the engine. The suction of the engine also causesoil to pass up the tubes 46 and through the atomizer 45 into the tube 42 where it meets the hot products of combustion, these products being additionally heated by passing through the chambers 4 around the hot tubes 3.

Now the thermostat 38 has been previously set so as to operate when a certain temperature is reached to open the valve 36 so as to admit air to the passageways or fines 2.

lThis cold air mixes with the heated prodthrough the atomizer 45. As soon as the en gine starts on the charge thus furnished,

the exhaust gases pass through the chambers 4 of the two upper castings and heat the tubes 3. Air is drawn through the openings 9 at the top of the device and passes through the tube, thence into the chamber 51 and mixes with the air' and gas which is being drawn through the pipe 42 and subsequently through the chamber 4 of the lower casting by the suction of the engine. short time this heated air is sufiicient to supply all of the necessary heat for vaporizing the fuel. The thermostat will not permit the device to be overheated because, as stated before, when the temperature has exceeded a predetermined point, the valve 36 is opened wider and more cold air is admitted.

In a very naaaeea It is intended that the thermostat will maintain the uniform temperature of the mixture of air and atomized oil which enters the chamber 4 of the lower casting from the tube 42, so that the vaporization of the oil will be at a constant temperature irrespective of atmospheric conditions.

As stated'before, the battery current is cut off after the engine is started by any suitable means. When this current ceases to flow through the filament 27, the temperature of the liquid contained in the tube 22 immediately falls off so that vapor ceases to pass out. of the upper end. This extinguishes the flame so that thereafter, the fuel is supplied through the pipe 46 and the atomizer 45.

It will be seen that I have provided a device by means of which the engine may be started on a heavy oil. I This obviates the necessity of using a lighter, more volatile fuel and also ,ebviates the necessity of providing' an additional carbureter for said lighter fuel. I have shown two castings as being connected with the exhaust, manifold at one end and the mufifler with the other but obviously, with a large engine, additional sections might be provided in accordance with the capacity of the engine. The device is of such a size that it can be readily installed under the hood of an automobile, or in any other convenient place.

1. A vaporizing device for heavy oils, comprising an oil chamber, a burner communicating therewith, means within the burner for initially heating a portion of the heavy oil to the vaporizing temperature, means for mixing air with said vaporized oil, means for initially igniting the mixture, an atomizer for atomizing a portion of said heavy oil, means for mixing air vwith the atomized oil, and means for heating the last named mixture by the heat of the initially ignited charge.

2. A vaporizing device for heavy oils comprising a casing, an oil chamber carried by the casing, means for initially heating a portion of the oil to the vaporizing temperature, means for mixing air with said vaporized oil, means for initially igniting the mixture,

an'atomizer for atomizing a portion of said oil, means for mixing air with the atomized oil, means for heating said last named mixture by the heat of the initially ignited charge, means for regulating the temperature of said heated mixture, said last named means comprising a thermostat disposed in the path of said heated mixture, and a valve controlled by the thermostat for admitting coldair directly to said heating means.

3. A vaporizing device for heavy oils comprising a casing, an oil chamber carried by the casing, means for initially heat ing a portion of the oil to the vaporizing temperature, means for mixing air with said vaporized oil, means for initially igniting the mixture, an atomizer for atomizing a portion of said oil, means for mixing air with the atomized oil, means for heating said last named mixture by the heat of the initially ignited charge, means for regulating the temperature of said heated mixture,

walls adapted to be heated by sai'dburner,

means for conveying air and atomized oil into said chamber, means for conducting the heated mixture of oil and air away from said chamber, means for admitting air to cool said chamber, and thermostatic means actuated by the heated mixture of oil and air for controlling said cooling means.

5. A vaporizer for heavy oils comprising a casing, a chamber for the oil, means for vaporizing a portion of the oil, means for mixing air with the vaporized oil, means for igniting the mixture, means for atomizing another portion of the oil, means for mixing air with the atomized portion, means for heating the atomized mixture by the heat from the ignited vaporized mixture, means for extinguishing the vaporized mixture, means for subsequently maintaining the heat supplied to the atomized mixture, said last named means comprising a series of air tubes having free communication with the atomized fuel, and means for heating the air tubes.

6. A vaporizer for heavy oils comprising a casing, a chamber for the oil, means for vaporiz ng a portion of the oil, means for mixing air with the vaporized oil, means for igniting the mixture, means for atomizing another portion of the oil, means for mixing air with the atomized portion, means for heating the atomized mixture by the heat from the ignited vaporized mixture, means for extinguishing the vaporized mixture, 11 cans for subsequently maintaining the heat supplied to the atomized mixture, said last-named means comprising a series of air tubes having free communication with the atomized fuel, a heating flue surrounding said air tubes, and means for passing hot exhaust gases through said heating fine.

7. A vaporizer comprising a casing, a fuel float chamber carried by the casing at the bottom thereof, a central tube extending through said float chamber, said centraltube having communication with the interior of the float chamber, means within the central tube for heating oils to the vaporizing point, means at the top of the tube for mixing air with said vaporized oil, means for igniting the mixture, a series of tubes disposed above the upper end of said first named tube for receiving the heated gases, a flue surrounding said last named tube, a chamber disposed above said lastnamed tube and having communication with said flue, and means for atomizing a portion of the fuel in said float chamber and for introducing it into the connecting means between the flue and the chamber above it. I

8. A vaporizer comprising a casing, a fuel float chamber carried by the casing at the bottom thereof, a central tube extending through said float chamber, said central tube having communication with the interior of the float chamber, means within the central tube for heating oils to the vaporizing point,

' means at the top of the tube for mixing air receiving the heated gases,

with said vaporized oil, means for igniting the mixture, a series of tubes disposed above the upper end of said first named tube for receiving the heated gases, a flue surrounding said last named tube, a chamber d1sposed above said last namedtube and having.

communication with said. flue, means for atomizing a portion of the fuel in sald float chamber and for introducing it into the connecting means between the flue and the disposed chamber above it, and a thermostat in the path of the products passing through the flue. I

9. A vaporizer comprising a casing, a fuel float chamber carried by the casing at the bottom thereof, a central tube extending through said float chamber, said central tube having communication with the interior of the float chamber, means within the central tube for heating oils to the vaporizing point, means at the top of the tube for mixing air with said vaporized oil, means for igniting the mixture, a series of tubes disposed above the upper end of said first named tube for ing said last namedi tube,' a chamber disposed above said last named tube and having communication with said flue, means for atomizing a'portion of the fuel in said float chamber and for introducing it into the connecting. means between the flue and the chamber above it, a thermostat disposed in the path of the products passing through the flue, an air inlet between the upper end of the first named tube and the lower end of the heating tube, and a valve controlled by said thermostat.

a flue surroundchamber disposed above said last named tube and having communication with said flue, means for atomizing a portion of the fuel in said float chamber and for introducing it into the connecting means between the flue and the chamber above it, a thermostat disposed in the path of the products passing through the flue, an air inlet between the upper end of the first named tube and the lower end of the heating tube, a valve controlled by said thermostat, means for admitting air to the chamber above said heating tube, and means for heating said air prior to its entrance to the chamber.

11. A vaporizer comprising a casing, a

fuel float chamber carried by the casing at the bottom thereof, a central tube extending through said float chamber, said central tube I having communication with the interior of the float chamber, means within the central tube for heating oils to the'vaporizing point,

means at the top of the tube for mixing air with said vaporized oil, means for igniting the mixture,.a series of tubes disposed above the upper end of said first named tube for receivirig the heated gases, a flue surrounding said last named tube, a chamber disposed aboveisaid last named tube and having com-' munication with said flue, means for atomizing a portion of the fuel in said float chamber and for introducing it into the connecting means between the flue and the chamber above it, a thermostat disposed in the path of the products passing through the flue, an air inlet between the upper end 4 of the first named tube-and the lower end of the heating tube, a valve controlled by said thermostat, means for admitting air to the chamber above said heatingitube, means for heating said air prior to its entrance to the chamber, said last named means comprising flues for the exhaust gases, and air pipes extending through said flues and adapted to be heated by the heat from the exhaust gases.

CHARLES CAREY MANKE R. 

